He promised to give back his salary. Across this country a lot of americans are wondering if their luck is about to change. The mega millions jackpot soaring to more than $630 million and we watched people lining up all day in miami and texas and in california as well. Americans counting down to the big drawing. So are we. Here's the countdown clock and abc's linsey davis on the story. Reporter: What you are witnessing -- all across the country is the point at which a mega million frenzy reaches a fever pitch. 30 million tickets sold an hour during peek times. Tonight's mega jackpot was born back in october as a much smaller pot. Reporter: Fast forward two and a half months, and 21 winless drawings, and that $12 million is now a $636 million prize, the second largest in lottery history. So tonight, adults are standing in line with the same fanciful hopes of children sitting in santa's lap. Buy a new lamborghini. Probably buy an island. Reporter: Steve is the guy around town that everyone wants to touch for good luck. Since 2009 he's won powerball once and mega millions twice, collecting more than $1 million worth of jack pots. What do you say for people looking for a tip? Just walk up to the machine and just let the machine pick it. Reporter: There are lucky people and then lucky states. Illinois is the luckiest with 31 mega millions jackpots won, followed by new york and then a three-way tie between georgia, michigan and new jersey. But you never know where luck will strike. This nebraska couple cashed in their winning ticket this afternoon from last week's $122 million powerball jackpot. It's been a whirlwind. Reporter: They chose the lump sum payment of $34 million. If there is one winner tonight, they'll take home ten times more cash, a whopping $341.2 million. Just take a look at the line, guys. Based on the numbers coming in from mega millions there is about a 30% chance we will not have a winner tonight. But if that's the case, the jackpot will only roll over friday's projected jackpot already $950 million, closing in on the billion dollar mark. Linsey davis, our human countdown clock.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

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